A place to gather: thoughts, design ideas, artistic influences and friends

Interview

December 15, 2010

Hello friends! I know its Wednesday and I usually post my "Make It or Break It" series on Thursday but I am ahead of myself this week. Ever since receiving the questions back from this interview I have been giddy with anticipation to share the secret wisdom from one of my personal creative business heroines. So go refill your cup of tea (or coffee) and sit down with me to hear from Tamar Schechner of Nest Pretty Things!

1.I know you are a creative entrepreneur. How did you start your Etsy business?

Tamar: When we moved to the country side I knew I would have to seek alternative work, I thought I would start an Interior design business, which I did, only Vermont is so tiny I couldn't really make a living out of it so I started crafting, I could knit a little so I pursued that, learning as I went along, I opened my first Etsy shop in 2006 and sold hats, then I taught myself how to sew and started making totes and pouches. That was very time consuming because I am a crazy perfectionist...then I started designing jewelry and that really took off and I absolutely love it! This year I opened another shop with Jewelry for kids,you can see how my work evolved if you go back to my first sales..

2. What would you say has been the secret to your success?

I am not sure what the secret is, it took a few years to build the business and I just never gave up. I've worked for magazines my entire career as a photo stylist and creative director so I have a lot of photography experience in my background, but I had no knowledge of sales and marketing so I read a lot about it and tried lots of different things until I begun to actually feel I know what I'm doing. I am very driven and I've never been as creative as I am now (I am 52 by the way, so it's never to late to start something new!)

3. What are your some of your joys and challenges of having an online business?

For me it's mostly joy, I love working from home and being my own boss and I love being able to sell all over the world!

Promote your business when ever and where ever you can, personally I love to blog, I also post photos on Flickr, and Pinterest.

Stick to it and don't give up!! it takes time!

Thanks Tamar for taking time out of your VERY busy schedule to chat with us here! And if you haven't checked out her lovely shops on Etsy please stop by (there is still time for ordering last minute gifts).

September 07, 2010

Greetings dear friends. This morning has been a challenge getting this post to you. The forces have been against me because this is such golden information for you burgeoning artists who are seeking the dream of crafting your own business. So without further delay, this is my interview with the very talented artist, Stephanie Ryan.

I know you, Stephanie
as an artist from your blogSmall Sweet Steps ,but would love to
learn more about your background. Would you tell us a little of your
story of coming to fruition?

My
story or journey started many years ago and has been filled with up and
downs. I have worn many hats in my career including doll maker for 11
years, product manager,stationery designer,dinnerware designer,
product designer and now finally, artist. I have been very lucky
because I feel that each job I have had over the years has taught me
important lessons not only about the work I was doing, but about life
and the importance of valuing people and following your dreams no matter
what obstacles stand in your way.

Do you have a day job or are you a
full time art maker? If so, how do you balance the two?

I currently work
full-time forKathy Davis Studios.
Kathy Davis is
one of the best selling greetingcard designers in the
country. As her brand designer, I am responsible for many things but the
best part of my job is creating patterns from her artwork, styling and
photographing mood boards andproduct shots for use on her blogand licensing
presentations.

In my spare time, I work as a freelancedinnerwaredesigner for Lenox
and in what little time is left, I am pursuing my dreams of creating and
sharing my art and inspiration.

Balance
is a tricky thing these days. I am pretty tired most of the time but it
is worth it. The joy that I get from exploring my own art over this
past year has been priceless and has given me a new sense of purpose in
my life.

What advice would
you give to someone just beginning to pursue their passion?It
has taken me a long time to finally figure out my true passion. I have
always worked for other people creating art to meet their visions and
never thought that I could be doing that for myself. There has been an
awakening inside of me over the past couple of years that has finally
started to manifest into a new purposeful kind of life for me. It has
taken me a lifetime to deal with my self-worth and self-doubt issues. My
advice to everyone trying to find their purpose and passion in life is
to clear your mind of all negative self-talk. Be present and see
yourself for the perfect person that you are. Develop a positive mantra
or affirmation and keep repeating it. “ I can do this” is mine. Then
start taking small sweet steps in the direction you want to go in. Try
not to focus too much on the future because it can be overwhelming and
makes it easier for the negative thoughts to come in. Stay present, be
positive, and love yourself. That is half the battle.What are the small
sweet steps that you take daily to work toward your creative goals?I
remind myself every morning while I am driving to work that there is
purpose in all things and every step I take is getting me closer to the
life I dream of. I make time everyday, no matter how tired I am to move
the energy forward. This may sound crazy, but I do most of my work in
bed! Yes, I paint in bed, I blog in bed, I even wood burn in bed. I do
whatever I have to do to be happy and create. For me, that works. The
thought of coming home from an eight hour long day of sitting behind a
computer and going into my studio to work is just too darn hard. So, I
created an environment and situation that works for me. Last, I try to
end everyday with gratitude. This can be a challenging thing after a
long hard day but it is worth it. It tells the universe that you
appreciate all that you have and reminds us of how lucky we really are.

What would you say to Gathering Spriggs readers about the importance of
community for an artist?

I cannot stress how
important it is to surround yourself with like-minded, supportive,
inspiring, bright glowing souls. When you are down, they lift you up and
more importantly when you get the opportunity to lighten someone else’s
day.... wow, the power that comes from that is amazing. Community will
keep you moving forward and it will empower you and keep you connected.
Of course, it is also a great way to market yourself and get your name
known, but I like to focus more on the other side of it and look at it
as a way to meet new friends and extraordinary people.

Can you tell us a little about your media and process? (without giving away all your secrets)Process.... it depends on the piece and medium I am working in. For the floral watercolors, I paint intuitively. I work from my imagination and try not to look at reference. It is more about shape and color. I lay down color and add new color to that and let the medium do it’s thing. When it is dry I go back into it with a marker and create texture and definition. The most important thing I do is try not to control it to much. I have always been a tight painter and perfectionist with my work and it has held me back and tripped me up. Be free, beauty is found in the unexpected! After I am finished painting, I scan my work and bring it into Photoshop. Some of my pieces are unaltered and for others I like to play. The great thing is there are no rules anymore. Do what makes you happy.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years? That is a question that I try not to focus on too much. I know what is right in front of me, and from that, I know what I want and don’t want. All I know is ... I want freedom in my daily life and need to figure out how to achieve that. Working a full-time job has too many restrictions for me and binds my spirit, while working for myself in my home studio is too isolating. I need to find the right balance of the two. In five years, I would like to be happily surrounded by my wildest dreams. I would like freedom to explore my passions and security to feel safe while I am doing that. I know that is vague, but I am open to all possibilities. Living a balanced life on my terms, surrounded by art, community, and a purposeful life, sounds like a great place to be in 5 years and I will be there with a big gratitude-filled smile on my face.

March 15, 2010

Have you ever wondered what life as a professional interior stylist is like? To be honest, I really didn't even know what a stylist was until I started blogging and have since been curious as to what it takes to be a stylist or even what it is they do day to day. So here today we have those questions and more answered for us by Marie Nichols who began her career in the UK and is currently on location in Sydney Australia working freelance. When Marie isn't creating fabulous rooms for photo shoots she also writes about her process at her blog, Whole Lotta Lovely. So without further ado here is a little interview with Marie about her dreamy and stylish life. P.S- she also shares some amazing DIY tips from the trade for you to try at home!

1.As I am sure many of us everyday creatives are dying to know,
What is the life of a stylist like?

Every day is
different, which is the reason I love it so much. From days brainstorming &
looking for inspiration, gathering ideas; working on schemes & finding
locations to time sourcing products. “Calling them in from PR’s or hitting the
shops and “propping” And then there are the shoots which are crazy, exhausting,
sometime stressful!But always fun
and {hopefully} the culmination of successful prep. Generally you’re working on
one project while keeping an eye open for the next. Getting out and about
seeing the latest products and keeping on top of the trends is really important
so I try and get out and about to stores and designers whenever possible.

2. How did you get started in such a dream
job?

Back then I didn’t really realize styling existied, I
kinda stumbled across it really. `After graduating from a photography degree,
rather un-certain as to what route I should take I arrange some work experience
at a magazine I’d always loved interior design and worked at a designers part
time during my studies so I contacted all of the London based interiors mags. I
think I knew I wanted to set up photo shoots but I assumed this was one of the
roles of an art director it hadn’t even occurred to me this dream job
existed.I was so excited when I
landed a placement in the Homes team. From there I did some more work
experience and met fabulous stylist and my mentor Lucyina Moodie. I assisted
Lucyina for a year before landing a roll at Ideal Home. Where I worked for 6
years before flying the nest and following my dreams to work as a freelance
stylist in Sydney

3. What are your favorite aspects of your
work? least favorites?

I love the creative process of coming up with room schemes
and concepts, sourcing products is such fun as is “propping” and the start of a
shoot where your unpacking and can see your scheme transform from a mood board
to reality is such a buzz

Working with great people, Inspiring photographers, art
directors and assistants, (the assistants are the un-sung heroes)

Styling isn’t a 9-5 you cant just walk away from it at the
end of the day, I’m constantly looking for inspiration, sitting up late working
on schemes because I feel inspired, I love what I do and wouldn’t change it for
the world, and I’m a little unsure if this is a good or bad …possibly both!

Sadly styling isn’t just making things look pretty. There
is a lot of chasing product, sorting out logistical issues, which are an essential
part of the job but not necessarily the most fun!

There is always a lot of pressure to have a lovely
home…it’s the first thing anyone says to you when they know you’re a stylist

4. Do you have any secrets of
the trade you can share?

There aren’t really any secrets!

The is no right and wrong its just about playing around
and seeing what looks best, be confident in your choices.

These are oldies but goodies

For a chic and smart look use symmetry

For other arrangements use groupings of uneven numbers ie
3 or 5 visually they just work better

Wonder web and double-sided tape always save the day and
lighter fluid is great for removing sticky labels!

5. What are some DIY tricks
your sleeve that we at home might be able to try?

First major tip is when you move into a new home start by
painting everything white, neutralizing the space will give it an instant lift
and will allow you to see how you live in and use a space before making major
decorating decisions. The white is a perfect blank canvas for you to add colour
and pattern to.

Always take some snaps before you tackle any decorating
task. You’ll be kicking yourself afterwards if you don’t and there is something
so rewarding about sitting down with a cuppa after some serious diy and marveling
your achievements

You’ll now understand what I mean when I say styling isn’t
glamorous – these aren’t pretty but I couldn’t live with out them:

Before filling your roller tray with paint pop the tray in
a bin liner. If you don’t use all of the paint in one go you can pull the liner
back on it’s self and tie it up so it doesn’t dry out and most importantly
saves having to wash out a really mucky tray

When drilling masking tape an open envelope to the wall
just below where you are about to drill so it catches the dust…oh the glamour!

Oh and wallpapering really isn’t as tricky as it may seem.
Just remember measure twice, cut once! Yes you might need an extra pair of
hands on standby for tricky bits but creating a feature wall is so easy I did
all the papering in my home (with a little help from my mum!)

Thanks Marie for joining us today and opening up the door to your world. Wishing you the very best on your adventure!

February 01, 2010

Are you as amazed as I am at who you can meet in the online design community? Not only is there a plethora of wonderfully talented people in cyberspace but they are usually kind, and down to earth! And that is exactly who Kristie of StoneBrook Staging is! We met through house tour comments on Apartment Therapy! And she is actually a fellow Nashvillian. We became facebook friends, and read each other's blogs. I invited her to my Holiday party and she came with her husband. They are the sweetest people I have ever met!! Its been a delight to get to know Kristie better (she is uber chic and stylish along with being a truly dear person). So I would love to share her with you now.... Here are her secrets to being stylish!! (ps. she also writes a design blog so you can keep up with her fabulousness daily!)

How long have you been in the staging business and how did you get started?

1. I've been staging homes to sell for about 5 years now. Oddly enough, I have two graduate degrees in psychology. After having a couple of children and taking a break from psychological testing, I decided it was time to pursue my creative passions. I've always been interested in how people live and in the psychological bonding that occurs between people and architectural spaces. In how physical spaces impact emotions and how people express themselves in the way they choose to live in a space - I like to think I have a unique psychological perspective on design. I believe that creating a space you love can change your life.

What are your favorite projects to work on?

2. I love the variety in my work. The low-end, the high-end, the staging-to-sell, the redecorating projects. In staging, I loverearranging furniture and art in a creative way to create a space that is more welcoming and interesting. In decorating, I really like working with clients who know what they love but need a designer to give them the confidence to go for it. But I also like helping clueless clients develop a style unique to them. Oh, and I love creating new color palettes for a client's home. I guess I just love it all!

What is your biggest decorating challenge?

3. Staging homes with severe design flaws. I recently staged a home where there was no dining space and no storage. I created two closet spaces out of architectural niches and found a way to incorporate an eating space into a small living area. I added a narrow drop-leaf table with pull-out seating behind the sofa that could do double-duty as a sofa table and a smalldining table. In staging, it is imperative that you are able to come up with creative solutions to correct or improve perceived design flaws. If you can't do that, you can't sell the house!

I've heard that you try to use what your clients have in staging their home, do you have any helpful hints for those of us trying to decorate on a budget?

4. Although I have an inventory of decorative accessories, art, lighting, etc. that I often bring into a staging client's home, I definitely use everything I can that they already own - I pull things out of basements, attics, closets, drawers. My best advice would be to find a way to decoratively use what you love, even things you wouldn't normally think of displaying. And rethink your floorplan - trade your living room and dining room space, convert your dining area to do double-duty as a library/office and eating space, or repurpose rooms that get little use.

How would you describe your personal style?

5. My personal style is very different than most of the staging/decorating work that I do! I personally love vintage and period decorating, but I certainly don't push my own style on my clients. I feel that my job (and calling) is to help people develop and showcase their own unique style - hopefully, style with a lot of soul that can survive decor trends.

January 25, 2010

Greetings! Today I have a special guest to share with you. Her name is Kristen Hodges and she is co-owner of Pins + Papers, an online craft business that she shares with her sister, Katie. Together they have developed a unique product line that is both clever , clean and visually intriguing! Keep reading for Kristen's story, her business tips and future plans!! (Thanks for being with us Kristen!)

How exactly did you go from college grad in Art Education to successful indie online business owner?

Oh goodness! That's a long story but I'll keep it in a nutshell. Shall we go list style for a moment?

4. Lost the job I had lined up with The Center for the Arts when they closed down.

5. Worked at the Paper Mill for the summer - a wedding invite, paper goods and gift shop.

6. In the Fall, worked as an interim Art Teacher for high school.

7. Husband joined the Navy half way through my semester, quit... never to teach again.

8. Moved to the north Chicago area.

9. Worked for Paper Source as Shift Supervisor - a job I would do again!

10. Learned amazing techniques for bookbinding and found new inspiration.

11. Started Flyleaf Books, a custom wedding album and guest book shop on Etsy.

12. Moved to Virginia Beach.

13. Later found 1000 Markets, opened shop with my new CD Folios.

14. Started working for 1000 Markets as their design consultant, a job I love dearly.

15. Decided I didn't have the personality type to continue working with custom orders or with brides, I digress.

16. Started a shop with my sister instead, called Pins + Paper to create organizing accessories.

Have you and your sister always collaborated?

Yes - We always talk to each other about new products or how to make our products better. We'll sit down and discuss our promotions, what sites we want to sell on, how much our monthly budget should be for these sites, and what kind of branding/packaging do we want. Getting along with each other makes this process easy going as we have very similar tastes to begin with. When the shop makes a sale, it doesn't mean that we each make a profit, only the person who made that item will receive money from the sale, so this is why we're super careful to be considerate of each other's budget.

And is your collaboration now long distance?

Right now, collaborating is very easy since we're only 30 minutes apart but soon it'll all be via Skype video call and screen share once I move to San Diegolater this Spring.

How do you make that work?

I mainly manage the website stuff and she manages our in person stuff and finds craft shows for us to attend. She's grown up in one town, mainly, so she has a lot connections through friendships and through her job at the town bank. Whereas, I am always moving, so I'm better acquainted with how online selling works and have many connections through my online shop/blog. We pull on each other's strengths. We also keep our own inventory at home and ship from our own locations. We ship via USPS Priority, that has fairly consistent pricing, so that helps us keep our shipping fees in check.

What are some helpful tips that you would give to artists and crafters just starting out?

1. Quality over Quantity: start small with your options - having something new will give you something to promote later anyways - and then get really good at what you offer in your shop.

2. Make it is *picture perfect* to avoid customer disputes. Also, it will give you some bragging rights and that adds value to your product.

3. Always make sure you are creating something unique that you can't find anywhere else. I have found that our original ideas always, always sell better than a trending item we wanted to copy and sell just to get in on the sales.

4. Make your presence known if you are selling online - listing your items alone won't get you anywhere. Connect, Communicate, Collaborate. Everyday.

5. Branding and packaging will really set you apart from the rest of the crowd - especially if you are trying to get above looking like a hobby shop and more like a professional business. Sometimes you will have to pay for this but it's not a purchase, it's an *investment*. Investments always come back to you in a profitable way.

6. Never talk about your personal life or anything that is negative or infers negativity. Keep your personal life out of your business but do stay personable with your customers. That's a gray area but take this for example: no one wants to hear your kids won't go to bed or your husband bugs you BUT they do want ot here that you are eating at a cool deli with other internet personas or that you just started working the studio.

7. Those shop policies should look like a book! The more you explain and the more specific you are, the less confusion there will be with customers. It's your safety net - use it. Think of problems that might arise and place your solutions or opinions about it in your policies. Then you can refer back to your documentation when you need to.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I really hope that I am still working for 1000 Markets, I still have my shop and I have a few stockists. I would love to start a wholesale account with a few gift shops - locally or online. I hope to have travel over seas sometime during my husband's career in the Navy, to inspire me to create a few more unique pieces for the shop.

December 03, 2009

Dear Gathering Spriggs readers, today I have a special treat for you. Her name is Kelle Barnard, of Barnard Interiors. She is a dear friend of mine from my first Alma Mater, Texas Tech Univiersity, Lubbock, TX! Kelle is the most gracious, warm Texas Southern Belle you will ever meet and she is opening up the secrets of her trade as an Interior Designer/Floral Artist especially for you. Hope you have fun reading about life on the inside and be sure to scroll down to find out Kelle's tips on decorating on a budget and adorning your home for the holidays!

1. Please tell us how Barnard Interiors came about.

The truth of the matter is that the birth of Barnard Interiors is a story of making lemonade out of a heaping basket full of lemons.

I graduated from college in the summer of 2002; this was right after 9/11 and no one was getting jobs, especially in the expendable industry of Interior Design. I had a job lined up in Austin but when I called to confirm 2 months prior to graduation, my would be boss said she couldn’t hire me.I looked for jobs here in Lubbock and around Texas and in the mean while, I just waited for word.

I went home to visit my parents one weekend and my Dad and I were talking and when he asked me what I was going to do, I jokingly said that I should just do what he did and start my own business.Well, needless to say, he thought this was a brilliant idea, much to my nervous astonishment and he told me to go back to Lubbock and make it happen.

I had no idea what I was doing but about a year later, Barnard Interiors was born.With much help from my local Small Business Development Center, my parents, and friends, it has been almost 7 years now and things are doing really well.A few years ago, I even branched out into floral design and am now designing weddingand event flowers!God is good!

2. What are your personal favorite projects and why?

It is cheesy to say, but I really love all my projects, but one of my all time favorites was for a client whose daughter’s wedding I had just completed.She wanted me to help her with her house that they had just moved into during the wedding.I helped her place her furniture and hang her pictures, my normal gig.But then about a year later, they decided to downsize and move into a garden home.By that time, we were good friends and as they walked me through their new little house, she turned to me and said, “You know who we are and what we like.Here is your budget and here are the keys.Have it done in a month!”

I LOVED that job.We did a minor “face lift” to the house, updating it with paint, new finishes, flooring, a fun wall texture technique, new lighting and used their beautiful antiques and furniture to make it their “favorite place on earth.”

I got the project done before move in date and they were more than thrilled.The husband was always rather noncommittal about decorating, but after he moved into his custom office, he said, “You know Kelle, you really designed a quality of life that I never knew existed. You aren’t just in the decorating business, you are in the quality of life business!”That was the best compliment I’ve ever gotten, from someone who originally thought what I did as a designer was frivolous.

3. On that note, being a designer usually requires using an unbiased design opinion to help others find their style, but I would like to know how you would describe your personal style.

Most people who know me, know that I speak my mind.With clients, I treat them how I would want to be treated.If something doesn’t look right I tell them while being as tactful and kind as possible.I let them know that it is my perspective on how they should design their house with their stuff.

My style is all over the place.I have never been a person who has favorite anything.I hate when people ask me, what is your favorite color, because I literally love ALL colors.I don’t like being hedged in by favorites.I would say my style would easily fit in with the eclectic crowd.I love mixing antiques with bright colors and modern light fixtures, or mixing things that “don’t” go together and proving that ANYTHING can work together, if you love it.I have tons of hand-me-down furniture from my parents and I love them all, but I add my modern spin on things: fabric, color, textures, etc…If something is quirky and odd, I love it.

I have a friend who came into my house the first time and said, “Whoa… you have A LOT of stuff.”I just laughed and kept on cooking for the dinner party.As the evening went on I noticed he was going around looking at my bookshelves and looking at my mementos. Later he was sitting in a chair in the corner looking at the whole house and he said, “You have a really nice, cozy little house.I really LOVE it!It feels like home.”

That is a common reaction.I do have loads of stuff, but I’m able to arrange it in a way that is interesting.I have my collection of old radios mixed in with all my books with a Chinese blue and white lamp nestled to the side.I have a collection of flower frogs strewn in with my collection of old classic novels.And I have my collection of weird nature artifacts on the china hutch/buffet with my favorite natural history botanical book! It doesn’t have to make sense if you love it.

4. In these tough economic times, what tips can you offer for people designing on a budget?

GARAGE SALES, ESTATE SALES, THRIFT STORES, & FLEA MARKETS!!!!The biggest misconception is “everything has to match.”Certain furniture stores make big bucks off of selling people a boxed set of room specific furniture with accessories “to match.”My biggest hint is… If you love it, it will work!It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense or you think it will be a disaster (occasionally it is), if you as the “designer” like it, chances are there will be a common thread once the room or project is finished.Be selective, but also go with the flow.If something is too expensive in the big store, have fun on your quest to duplicate or search out a similar less expensive piece.Also, look at things differently.Many objects can have many different uses. For example, an old suitcase that you get at the thrift store could be simply a decorative piece on top of an armoire, or it could be stacked with other suitcases and made to be a side table or coffee table.And don’t forget that each of those suitcases is a perfect storage solution for items you might not need to access all the time; old photos, CD cases, mementos from high school or college are the perfect items store in old suitcases.

One more tip for a budget redo, paint.It is the least expensive solution with the biggest wow factor.The right color can really make a room sing and make EVERYTHING in it look more expensive.I am a fan of neutral earth tones that are pretty saturated, but a creamy yellow or pale minty green can really highlight antiques and give a dusty old retro feel to a room.But please, NO BEIGE!Spice things up and don’t be afraid.Live with you decisions for at least 3 days to a week before scrapping them completely.It takes time to see things differently when you are used to seeing it one way for so long.Also, invite some good friends over and get their instant reaction.Sometimes all we need is a little encouragement.

5. Last, what are your favorite insider tricks to decorating for the holidays? Any advice for the novice?

Have fun!It is a holiday. It is meant to be fun.If you aren’t enjoying it then it is a chore and that is never a good thing. The world won’t end if your decorations aren’t perfect.Take a breather and drink some hot cocoa!

First, don’t think you have to put EVERY holiday nick knack that you own out.Pick a theme and design around a few cherished items.Create a few little vignettes around your house: Christmas tree, coffee table, mantle… then stop.

Don’t toss out fake greenery just because it is old, sometimes all your old front door wreath needs is a $5 bolt of new ribbon and some simple dollar store ornaments.Add a little splash of something sparkly to make something old look fresh and new.

Don’t like a traditional door wreath?Get 2 bolts of a fabulous wired ribbon in a contrasting color from your door and tie the door like a huge present with a pretty bow where a wreath should be.Make it a traditional bow or a big loopy bow and have several long tendrils you can spiral by coiling them around your hand (like a curling iron).Use thumb tacks, double sided tape, or a little dab of hot glue on the sides of your door to keep the ribbon in place; no one will see the edges and it won’t ruin your door!

And lastly, enjoy time with your friends and family.Sit down with the kids or girlfriends and make homemade ornaments out of felt.The holidays are stressful enough make memories and have fun and remember the reason for the season!

November 07, 2009

Thank you, Sarah at Apartment Therapy Chicago for asking me to participate in a House Tour and survey ! It was a super fun challenge to get the new home in order enough for a tour. There are all new pics of my recent diy home painting projects (refinishing furniture, shelving, walls, etc.) Thank you dear friends for supporting me along the way. I feel blessed and honored.

October 13, 2009

Meet Alli from Hooray, she is here today to share her 5 favorite things. Let's get to know her a little better...

1. My Vintage Olivetti Typewriter. My mom gave this to me from her college days. I've never typed with it, but I do set pretty pictures in the paper holder.

2. "Beaker" Glasses from CB2. I fell in love with the design of these glasses when I first saw them grace a catalog page earlier this year. An ode to the plastic version - these glasses are ribbed & made from paper-thin handblown glass, and completely affordable ($2-4). 3. Domino: The Book of Decorating. This makes me happy because it provides realistic ideas for creating beautiful, comfortable spaces that reflect your personal style, and the pages of this book never cease to inspire me. Plus, the whole thing is covered in the prettiest wallpaper ever. 4. Sheer LILL Curtains from Ikea. They may have discontinued these, but it's some of the best $5 I've spent at Ikea before. I use them throughout our home, for layering with other window treatments, and even to make a simple canopy over our guestroom bed (as seen in photo).

5. ArdenBeauty by Elizabeth Arden. Every girl should have a "signature scent," right? This is mine. I used to raid my mom's perfume collection as a teen, and this is usually what I chose. It's a light floral scent, and thankfully it's not very expensive!

October 08, 2009

Welcome to my new series: "Getting To Know You" , a mini interview format where guests share 5 of their favorite things. The first to start the series is Rachel Follett, blogger extraordinaire and brainchild of Lovely Clusters.Lovely Clusters Shop is a new online market place filled with fabulous artists and designers. She also wrote a little interview and home tour of yours truly that I would love for you to see!

So... without further ado, here's Rachel's favorite things.

1. Painting from College: For one of my art classes in college we had to replicate a famous work of art and I chose Nana from Edouard Manet. The painting reminds me of my beginning years in art school and the things I had to do to get there. I spent one full day painting it and when I mixed the colors I felt like I was painting as if I was Manet himself. It was a great experience to say the least.

2. My Bedroom: I love the dark green walls because I sleep so well in it and maybe too much at times but I mainly wanted to share the artwork that was custom made for me. My friend is a painter and for our wedding present she painted these three banana close ups. She worked with my paint swatch and fabrics. It was a ton of fun to work with her on this. www.anitatheartist.com

3. My Black Leather Bag: It was like every other bag until I put this small vintage owl pin on it and now its my new favorite thing!

4. Cluster Necklace: My neighbor makes the most gorgeous jewelry and I babysat her 2 year old son one time and this necklace was part of my payment. I love that I can dress it up or down and it goes with almost anything. This is also my new favorite thing. :)

5. My Sketchbook: My husband Ryan picked this out for me at Barnes and Noble last year for Christmas and I actually had seen it and loved it beforehand so it was pretty crazy that he knew that I would like it. I love that he knows my taste. I don't know many men who pay attention the those details. I feel pretty lucky.

Thank you Heather for having me today and letting me share some of my favorite things. This was a ton of fun!